Mizoram Police registered 538 drug cases and arrested 795 alleged drug traffickers in 18 months as the state intensified its anti-narcotics crackdown. The government reviewed Operation Jericho, rehabilitation efforts, and new legal measures to strengthen drug control across Mizoram.
Mizoram Police have registered 538 drug-related cases and arrested 795 alleged drug peddlers and smugglers over the past 18 months, reflecting the state’s intensified campaign against narcotics trafficking and substance abuse. The arrests include women as well as Myanmar nationals, highlighting the cross-border nature of the drug menace in the northeastern state.
According to senior police officials, 319 drug-related cases were registered during 2025, leading to the arrest of 483 accused persons. During the first six months of 2026, police have already registered another 219 cases, with 312 individuals taken into custody. Officials said the figures demonstrate the sustained success of Mizoram’s anti-drug enforcement operations.
Authorities attributed the increase in registered cases and arrests to changing trafficking methods. While drug syndicates previously transported large consignments, traffickers are now moving smaller quantities more frequently to evade detection. However, enhanced surveillance, improved intelligence gathering, and upgraded enforcement equipment have enabled police to intercept more shipments and arrest more offenders than before.
The developments were reviewed during a meeting of the Mizoram State Core Committee on Fight Against Drugs, chaired by Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by Home Minister K. Sapdanga, Excise and Narcotics Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar, senior government officials, and representatives from various departments and voluntary organisations involved in anti-drug initiatives.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma appreciated the efforts of government departments, law enforcement agencies, and voluntary organisations working to combat the growing drug menace. He said that although eliminating drug abuse cannot be achieved overnight, the state’s sustained and coordinated efforts are producing encouraging results, with significant progress becoming increasingly visible.
During the meeting, the Committee reviewed reports submitted by the Excise and Narcotics Department, Police Department, Social Welfare Department, and the Young Mizo Association (YMA), one of Mizoram’s largest civil society organisations.
The Excise and Narcotics Department reported that the launch of Operation Jericho has significantly reduced the availability of illicit drugs across the state. Officials said the shortage has resulted in a sharp increase in the street prices of narcotics, including heroin, cough syrup, and other pharmaceutical drugs that are frequently abused.
Meanwhile, the Social Welfare Department informed the Committee that follow-up assessments at the Hulhhliap Short Stay Centre showed nearly 30 per cent of admitted beneficiaries had successfully overcome drug addiction. A total of 198 beneficiaries have completed training in 13 different skill development courses, while 21 beneficiaries received assistance under the ‘Bana Kaih’ (Hand Holding) Chief Minister’s Special Package. The government currently spends approximately Rs 15,422 per beneficiary for rehabilitation services at the centre.
The Young Mizo Association also presented its report on anti-drug activities conducted through its Anti-Drugs Squad and Operation Jericho. The organisation highlighted the effective utilisation of government-supported vehicles for anti-drug operations and informed the Committee that rehabilitation facilities at the TBCC are being expanded with state assistance for people recovering from substance use disorders.
Despite the encouraging progress, the Committee expressed concern that while heroin availability has declined and prices have increased, the consumption of cannabis has become more widespread and cough syrup abuse continues to rise. Members stressed the need for sustained awareness campaigns targeting children and young people through schools, churches, and community organisations.
To strengthen future enforcement, the Committee resolved to establish a panel to draft state-specific legislation or recommend amendments to existing laws aimed at reinforcing Mizoram’s legal framework against drug trafficking. It also agreed to simplify reimbursement procedures for court witness expenses and discussed plans to establish active anti-drug committees in every locality and village.
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Officials noted that Mizoram remains vulnerable to cross-border narcotics trafficking due to its 510-km unfenced border with Myanmar, part of the notorious Golden Triangle, and its 318-km border with Bangladesh. These porous international borders continue to make the state a major transit corridor for narcotics, wildlife products, and other forms of cross-border smuggling, prompting authorities to maintain an aggressive and coordinated crackdown against organised drug networks.
